JDorama Review: Gyabooo! Nodame Cantabile

Gyabooo! A Nodame Cantabile Review for Japinoy.com

By: Maneki Neko

Synopsis: Based on the successful manga series by Ninomiya Tomoko, Nodame Cantabile is a romantic comedy between musical opposites: an arrogant guy who always seeks perfection, and a freespirited girl who abhors hygiene and reading musical scores.

When they met, it was instant attraction for Nodame, and instant repulsion for Chiaki. However, Chiaki slowly began to appreciate Nodame’s talent and character. As they work together on their music, they unwittingly inspire each other to take big risks and further hone their musical talents, and mature as persons, as professionals, and as a couple.

Review: My boyfriend, who saw this in Japan, was actually insisting that we watch it. A couple of online buddies also recommended the series. They were all raves about it, so I thought this should be worth my time. Hehe.My initial reaction is that I didn’t like the numerous anime-ish scenes that the director (or whoever) is so fond of. Gokusen was ok; Nodame was a tad too much. The harisen, the flying Nodame, and the Street Fighter-like punches are a bit out of place, even in a funny series like Nodame, IMHO. Also, the first few episodes dealt mostly with Chiaki’s angst, and his desire to shut himself in his miseries about his ‘career limbo’ sort of drags the story.